No: 137, 14 May 2018, Press Release Regarding The Decision Of The Us Administration To Move Its Embassy In Tel Aviv To Jerusalem

Republic Of Turkey Ministry Of Foreign Affairs 14.05.2018

We strongly condemn the decision of the US Administration to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem violating international law and all relevant UN Resolutions. We reiterate that this action is legally null and void. We emphasize that such a step which disregards the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people will not serve peace, security and stability in the region.

The resolutions on Jerusalem adopted at the Extraordinary Islamic Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held on 13 December 2017 as well as at the United Nations General Assembly on 21 December 2017 demonstrate that this illegitimate step taken by the US is rejected by the international community. By insisting on this attitude, the US Administration has damaged the basis for a solution of the most basic issue in the Middle East. The US Administration will be fully responsible for the repurcussions of the said decision which runs the risk of eroding the parameters established during the peace process. We curse the massacre carried out by Israeli security forces encouraged by this step on the Palestinians participating in peaceful demonstrations.

Neither regional nor global peace and stability will be viable unless the Palestinian question is settled through a lasting and just solution and unfair treatments towards Palestinian people cease.

Turkey will continue to work with the responsible members of the international community to revive the peace process on a sound basis and build a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace in the region.